As September is being celebrated as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, the New Hope Family Worship Center in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn is reaching out to the community in ensuring that men are more aware of the importance of early screening for prostate cancer.
In addition, New Hope said it is committed to supporting the men and their families who are affected by the disease.
In this nexus, the church recently held its inaugural, successful Prostate Cancer Service and Awareness Luncheon, stating that it was “very relevant to reach men in the community who might not have been informed about prostate cancer, the risks, and the importance of early screening, as well as to be of support to the men and their families who are affected by prostate cancer.”
Dr. Anthony Graham, senior pastor of New Hope Family Worship Center, told Caribbean Life that he believes New Hope’s ministry is “strategically positioned to impact and influence the life of the total person.”
By teaching and preaching the gospel, Dr. Graham said he believes that “the truth of God’s word brings upliftment to the human family.”
Therefore, he said he fully supports the church’s Social Services Department, led by Barbadian-born Dr. Zethea Bushelle.
Dr. Bushelle also told Caribbean Life that her department is “committed to educating and empowering men in the community.
She said by holding such a luncheon and bringing in some of the “best doctors” — such as Daniel Izon, MD, who works with Radiosurgery New York Cancer Treatment, and Alfred Winkler, MD, assistant professor of Clinical Urology at Weill Cornell Medical College — from leading hospitals, that “men and their families would be educated about the risk, the symptoms, and where they can be screened.”
“As men get older, the prostate gets bigger,” Dr. Winkler told the seminar. “So, you’ll notice changes in the urine.”
“For screening processes, you have to rely on the PSA test than the finger test,” he added. “People of African descent have the highest rate of prostate cancer in the world.
“No mater what you hear, make sure you get the test,” Dr. Winkler urged.
Dr. Bushelle said: “I am very positive that we at New Hope Family can be the light house for the men in the Brownsville and the East New York communities to help them to understand their situation and all the treatment options available to them.”
The director for social service at New Hope Family Worship Center stressed that she is “committed to bringing information to educate the men in the community.”
Raising awareness of prostate cancer, especially within the African American community, aids in fulfilling New Hope Family Worship Center’s goal, Dr. Bushelle said.
“It is our hope, as we heighten the awareness of prostate cancer, that the men in the community understand how important it is to have early detection through awareness,” she said.
Capt. David Graham, the Trinidadian-born assistant director of social service, said the luncheon served as a “launching pad” to hold the event annually.
He noted that participation of both men and women at the luncheon was very high.
“Some of the men in attendance asked each doctor many questions about different medical treatments that are available and the price the doctors charge,” Capt. Graham said. “The men also asked about the different kind of treatments and what they do.”
Sylvan Goodridge, a Barbadian native and community resident, who attended the luncheon, disclosed that he had “a successful prostate surgery done.”
He said the event meant a lot to him and that it was “an excellent way to inform the men in the community.”
Dr. Bushelle said New Hope Family Worship Center is “looking forward to hosting more prostate cancer awareness luncheons not only at New Hope but at other churches, thereby raising the awareness of prostate cancer.”
